Interesting Dopamine article
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dumbhick3
Member
Dopamine and learned behaviors and bodybuilding-Musings
The study results are somewhat interesting. Dopamine is arguably one of the most complicated to understand neurotransmitters in the brain.
L-dopa increases dopamine in general in the various dopaminergic areas of the brain. This is good for Parkinson's patients because they suffer from both mental and physical problems from their low dopamine levels in particular areas of the brain. Schizophrenics have brains that are practically bathing in dopamine and not in the "pleasure" areas alone; their prefrontal cortex is flooded with it which is where most thought-perception occurs (I think
). In fact, one of the symptoms of L-dopa toxicity in Parkinson's patients is hallucinations and psychotic type phenomena-it happens over time as the doses get into the grams/day level. Then they have to switch to carbidopa, etc.
As the article points out, l-dopa isn't really associated with being "happier", which the study probably defined as a euphoria-type happiness since it is easiest to measure on an established scale (I dunno-but that's not really "happiness" anyway).
On the other hand, administration of amphetamines and cocaine cause a bit more of a targeted effect and typically cause an almost giddy euphoria in the majority of study patients given one or the other. They don't do too many of those studies anymore! However, I remember one study from the 70's (academic database) that would be unethical per the APA today. A person was administered IV (!) 10mg of dextroamphetamine (they don't even make IV amphetamines anymore) every hour on the hour and reactions noted. Initially, euphoria, etc. But within 24 hours and 240mg of IV amphetamine given (a freakin ton), he was in pretty much full blown toxic psychosis. It went away after a day or three as the drug left his system and he went to sleep, etc.
The same is true for the opioids and other abuseable drugs, including steroids. Pretty much anything that is rewarding and/or causes that momentary euphoria is associated with the release of dopamine in very specific parts of the brain only. These parts are mainly in the hindbrain (nucleus accumbens, ventral tegmental something-or-other, etc) which is the most primative part of the human brain and which is why rats/cats/dogs/etc respond to amphetamine/cocaine/opioids/etc as well and are often studied. It is also why junkies act like animals; they function on a very primative level in that, as the article alludes to, dopamine is associated with learned behaviors. "Roll over, sit up, etc" = "Get more smack, inject more smack, get more cash, repeat". That try a drug once and you are hooked stuff is generally non-sense; it is a learned behavior. People who are "hooked" from the first use of anything generally have very weak will power or other psychological issues such as depression.
Some drugs like crack (no, I've never used crack before) only give you a few get-out-of-jail-free cards in this respect before you inadvertently acquire a new learned behavior that intensifies with each additional use of the drug so the hole you dig gets deeper and deeper. To pick on crack heads some more, they will often choose crack over food b/c it is much more mentally rewarding and though that next rock only gets them high for 5 minutes, they are immediately looking forward to that next crack rock and how to get it, even after they really can't even get a buzz anymore-the mental drive is just that strong.
The learned behaviors can be a good or a bad thing depending on what you are learning and whether you are using drugs as well. Heroin addicts often inject saline solution when they are out of the drug because the brain is used to an injection followed by a profound euphoria. Dopamine levels actually rise briefly to euphoric levels in anticipation of that euphoria though no post-injection euphoria is experienced. Again, a learned behavior. The ritual of smoking cigarettes (packing them, lighting them, drawing on them, inhale, exhale, etc) is another example.
And for the bodybuilders of course. Steroids have definitely been shown to be associated with psychological cravings and sometimes physical dependence phenomena due to the myriad hormonal changes in the body and the Post cycle depression if present (don't get me wrong; I use them too). This is why some people literally never stop using steroids-30 week cycles and then you are so effed up that you need some test just to function since you have zilch. This applies to oral and injectable steroids, but I think that injectable steroids, relative potencies not being a factor, would be even more associated with psychological dependence than orals for this reason. Some steroids are inherently somewhat euphoric as well (some are dysphoric like good ole M1T).
The learned behavior of the ritual of steroid injections. Wipe the top of the vial with an alcohol wipe before inserting drawing needle, draw 3 cc's of oil with vial upside down (or right side up), remove needle from vial, flick syringe needle up, squeeze out air bubbles, aspirate slightly, take off dull needle, replace with new needle, wipe injection site with a new wipe, don't unsterilize the syringe and needle to be injected (unless you recapped it and put it on a sterile surface), squeeze skin taut if applicable, inject needle somewhat forcefully deep into the muscle, steady pressure on the plunger, remove needle with a pretty fast, smooth, motion, put a sesame street band-aid on if actually needed, repeat daily or weekly. That is a hell of a lot of learned behavior and ritual (necessary), and add to that the expectation of great gains in the gym and you have quite a mentally reinforcing package (esp. when the gains do come rapidly in the gym). Thankfully, steroids aren't exactly as addictive as crack, but it is little wonder that users are often looking forward to that next injection or that next cycle or whatever. Or people who never quit either one long cycle (wrestlers) or cycle after cycle their whole life.
The real question is at what point does it become deleterious to your life and do you stop using them at that point or do you continue on in spite of the effects they might be having on your life or health?
But it isn't all bad. Bodybuilding itself is very rewarding and in a healthy way. You work hard in the gym and you are rewarded for your hard efforts and you don't necessarily have unrealistic expectations as far as gains go (though you probably do if you have dabbled in steroids and seen the results) and you are pleased with the results. And you have less mental stress and are in better physical condition, etc. So this can be quite a healthy, learned behavior. I am not saying don't use steroids (or use them); it is just easier to look at one variable at a time.
I always felt like that when I left the gym anyways, even if I came in with a crappy mood. Probably the endogenous opioid release from the pain of working out ("runner's high"); of course endogenous opioids have a direct affect on the mood but also have a dopaminergic effect as described above.
But the body is good at regulating itself in healthy manner if you aren't taking drugs that try to circumvent your body's built-in protection system. The dopamine rush associated with sex or a good workout or both (LOL) is quick and fleeting because the dopamine transporter quickly mops up the free dopamine molecules which are reabsorbed into the neurons of the brain (ready for round number 2?-LOL!). Cocaine blocks the dopamine transporter from doing its job so the elation is unnaturally prolonged; amphetamine just floods the synapses (spaces between neurons) with dopamine, but the end result is similar. Both drugs exert most of their effects in the dopamine neuron heavy areas of the brain. Think of it as free testosterone versus total testosterone if you want.
The study results are somewhat interesting. Dopamine is arguably one of the most complicated to understand neurotransmitters in the brain.
L-dopa increases dopamine in general in the various dopaminergic areas of the brain. This is good for Parkinson's patients because they suffer from both mental and physical problems from their low dopamine levels in particular areas of the brain. Schizophrenics have brains that are practically bathing in dopamine and not in the "pleasure" areas alone; their prefrontal cortex is flooded with it which is where most thought-perception occurs (I think
). In fact, one of the symptoms of L-dopa toxicity in Parkinson's patients is hallucinations and psychotic type phenomena-it happens over time as the doses get into the grams/day level. Then they have to switch to carbidopa, etc.As the article points out, l-dopa isn't really associated with being "happier", which the study probably defined as a euphoria-type happiness since it is easiest to measure on an established scale (I dunno-but that's not really "happiness" anyway).
On the other hand, administration of amphetamines and cocaine cause a bit more of a targeted effect and typically cause an almost giddy euphoria in the majority of study patients given one or the other. They don't do too many of those studies anymore! However, I remember one study from the 70's (academic database) that would be unethical per the APA today. A person was administered IV (!) 10mg of dextroamphetamine (they don't even make IV amphetamines anymore) every hour on the hour and reactions noted. Initially, euphoria, etc. But within 24 hours and 240mg of IV amphetamine given (a freakin ton), he was in pretty much full blown toxic psychosis. It went away after a day or three as the drug left his system and he went to sleep, etc.
The same is true for the opioids and other abuseable drugs, including steroids. Pretty much anything that is rewarding and/or causes that momentary euphoria is associated with the release of dopamine in very specific parts of the brain only. These parts are mainly in the hindbrain (nucleus accumbens, ventral tegmental something-or-other, etc) which is the most primative part of the human brain and which is why rats/cats/dogs/etc respond to amphetamine/cocaine/opioids/etc as well and are often studied. It is also why junkies act like animals; they function on a very primative level in that, as the article alludes to, dopamine is associated with learned behaviors. "Roll over, sit up, etc" = "Get more smack, inject more smack, get more cash, repeat". That try a drug once and you are hooked stuff is generally non-sense; it is a learned behavior. People who are "hooked" from the first use of anything generally have very weak will power or other psychological issues such as depression.
Some drugs like crack (no, I've never used crack before) only give you a few get-out-of-jail-free cards in this respect before you inadvertently acquire a new learned behavior that intensifies with each additional use of the drug so the hole you dig gets deeper and deeper. To pick on crack heads some more, they will often choose crack over food b/c it is much more mentally rewarding and though that next rock only gets them high for 5 minutes, they are immediately looking forward to that next crack rock and how to get it, even after they really can't even get a buzz anymore-the mental drive is just that strong.
The learned behaviors can be a good or a bad thing depending on what you are learning and whether you are using drugs as well. Heroin addicts often inject saline solution when they are out of the drug because the brain is used to an injection followed by a profound euphoria. Dopamine levels actually rise briefly to euphoric levels in anticipation of that euphoria though no post-injection euphoria is experienced. Again, a learned behavior. The ritual of smoking cigarettes (packing them, lighting them, drawing on them, inhale, exhale, etc) is another example.
And for the bodybuilders of course. Steroids have definitely been shown to be associated with psychological cravings and sometimes physical dependence phenomena due to the myriad hormonal changes in the body and the Post cycle depression if present (don't get me wrong; I use them too). This is why some people literally never stop using steroids-30 week cycles and then you are so effed up that you need some test just to function since you have zilch. This applies to oral and injectable steroids, but I think that injectable steroids, relative potencies not being a factor, would be even more associated with psychological dependence than orals for this reason. Some steroids are inherently somewhat euphoric as well (some are dysphoric like good ole M1T).
The learned behavior of the ritual of steroid injections. Wipe the top of the vial with an alcohol wipe before inserting drawing needle, draw 3 cc's of oil with vial upside down (or right side up), remove needle from vial, flick syringe needle up, squeeze out air bubbles, aspirate slightly, take off dull needle, replace with new needle, wipe injection site with a new wipe, don't unsterilize the syringe and needle to be injected (unless you recapped it and put it on a sterile surface), squeeze skin taut if applicable, inject needle somewhat forcefully deep into the muscle, steady pressure on the plunger, remove needle with a pretty fast, smooth, motion, put a sesame street band-aid on if actually needed, repeat daily or weekly. That is a hell of a lot of learned behavior and ritual (necessary), and add to that the expectation of great gains in the gym and you have quite a mentally reinforcing package (esp. when the gains do come rapidly in the gym). Thankfully, steroids aren't exactly as addictive as crack
, but it is little wonder that users are often looking forward to that next injection or that next cycle or whatever. Or people who never quit either one long cycle (wrestlers) or cycle after cycle their whole life.The real question is at what point does it become deleterious to your life and do you stop using them at that point or do you continue on in spite of the effects they might be having on your life or health?
But it isn't all bad. Bodybuilding itself is very rewarding and in a healthy way. You work hard in the gym and you are rewarded for your hard efforts and you don't necessarily have unrealistic expectations as far as gains go (though you probably do if you have dabbled in steroids and seen the results) and you are pleased with the results. And you have less mental stress and are in better physical condition, etc. So this can be quite a healthy, learned behavior. I am not saying don't use steroids (or use them); it is just easier to look at one variable at a time.
I always felt like that when I left the gym anyways, even if I came in with a crappy mood. Probably the endogenous opioid release from the pain of working out ("runner's high"); of course endogenous opioids have a direct affect on the mood but also have a dopaminergic effect as described above.
But the body is good at regulating itself in healthy manner if you aren't taking drugs that try to circumvent your body's built-in protection system. The dopamine rush associated with sex or a good workout or both (LOL) is quick and fleeting because the dopamine transporter quickly mops up the free dopamine molecules which are reabsorbed into the neurons of the brain (ready for round number 2?-LOL!). Cocaine blocks the dopamine transporter from doing its job so the elation is unnaturally prolonged; amphetamine just floods the synapses (spaces between neurons) with dopamine, but the end result is similar. Both drugs exert most of their effects in the dopamine neuron heavy areas of the brain. Think of it as free testosterone versus total testosterone if you want.
Athletix
Board Sponsor
The real problem is that affecting dopamine centers leads to addiction and other issues. It isn't a good idea to modify dopamine centers unless you have an underlying issue such as schizophrenia, Parkinson's or some other psychotic disorder. It is unfortunate that we don't understand more of these areas but basically what happens is the VTA extends dopamine neurons through the mesolimbic and mesocortical centers. Overactivity of one causes dependence and underactivity of the other causes dependence. You also have seratonin, dopamine, GABA, and nicotinic receptors attached to these neurons which have various positive/negative effects, it is very complex.
Anti-Dopaminergic side effects are also very nasty. When using an agonist you can definitely downregulate receptors so that when you can come off it is similar to antagonism. The sides are called EPS (extra pyramidal side effects) and the worst of which is something called tardive dyskinesia and is very sad to see when patients start to exhibit it. The other problem with taking L-dopa is that most of it is metabolized in the periphery so you aren't really getting the effects you are looking for unless you combine it with a D-decarboxylase inhibitor like carbidopa.
Bottom line, I wouldn't mess with anything that alters dopamine transition unless you truly do have an underlying issue such as schisophrenia and some aspects of bipolar disorder.
Anti-Dopaminergic side effects are also very nasty. When using an agonist you can definitely downregulate receptors so that when you can come off it is similar to antagonism. The sides are called EPS (extra pyramidal side effects) and the worst of which is something called tardive dyskinesia and is very sad to see when patients start to exhibit it. The other problem with taking L-dopa is that most of it is metabolized in the periphery so you aren't really getting the effects you are looking for unless you combine it with a D-decarboxylase inhibitor like carbidopa.
Bottom line, I wouldn't mess with anything that alters dopamine transition unless you truly do have an underlying issue such as schisophrenia and some aspects of bipolar disorder.
dumbhick3
Member
Well said.
The only other psychiatric disorder that warrants toying with dopamine is ADHD. I've had it all my life, but was only diagnosed as an adult when I started to flop in electrical engineering despite my best efforts.
ADHD is one of those contentious disorders b/c it is both underdiagnosed and overdiagnosed (and some people think it doesn't exist, etc), leading to undertreatment of the population that actually has the disorder, kind of similar to opioids and chronic pain (an even more heated issue, of which I have also had the displeasure), but stimulants are easier to get a "script" for. Lots of scripts are written for stimulants. But many of those people don't have ADHD (some doctors just want the money and have you fill out a 1 page/10 question sheet and then give you your adderall-I saw it frequently in college-a terrible thing-I saw a lot of addicts too).
However, the above post still holds true in many ways. It is a MYTH that people with ADHD cannot get high or become psychologically dependent/addicted to stimulants like Ritalin and Adderall-even some "medical" sites still perpetuate this BS. If you abuse them for any amount of time, you can pretty much count on becoming addicted for some period of time, ADHD or not. In ADHD and in all people, stimulants lose their euphoric effect at the same dose level within a few weeks of starting them.
With ADHD patients, beneficial effects are still derived and even enhanced over the long-term in my experience (though I had to try 5-6 different stimulants to find one that I could tolerate for more than 1 month to a year without unbearable side effects).
It is possible that a non-ADHD person could use the same dose over a long period of time and derive some cognitive enhancement beyond their baseline as well (never really been studied), but in either case, abuse will lead to dependence (been there, done that more than once). Escalate the dose, you will get high again for a brief period of days, and off you go into the bowels of addiction.
Some people are able to use them very intermittently for cram sessions in college and have no cravings, but I have seen people turn into addicts of varying degrees as well. Maybe because you can be a little lazier depending on your major in college, go drink more, and then catch up for 2 days before the exam, etc. I know it wasn't peculiar to my university, but stimulant use/abuse like this is rampant in almost every school. I guess it's that competitive edge or sheer laziness, and there are some parallels to the increase in young person steroid use too (and at the pro level if it hasn't already reached a critical mass, LOL).
The only other psychiatric disorder that warrants toying with dopamine is ADHD. I've had it all my life, but was only diagnosed as an adult when I started to flop in electrical engineering despite my best efforts.
ADHD is one of those contentious disorders b/c it is both underdiagnosed and overdiagnosed (and some people think it doesn't exist, etc), leading to undertreatment of the population that actually has the disorder, kind of similar to opioids and chronic pain (an even more heated issue, of which I have also had the displeasure), but stimulants are easier to get a "script" for. Lots of scripts are written for stimulants. But many of those people don't have ADHD (some doctors just want the money and have you fill out a 1 page/10 question sheet and then give you your adderall-I saw it frequently in college-a terrible thing-I saw a lot of addicts too).
However, the above post still holds true in many ways. It is a MYTH that people with ADHD cannot get high or become psychologically dependent/addicted to stimulants like Ritalin and Adderall-even some "medical" sites still perpetuate this BS. If you abuse them for any amount of time, you can pretty much count on becoming addicted for some period of time, ADHD or not. In ADHD and in all people, stimulants lose their euphoric effect at the same dose level within a few weeks of starting them.
With ADHD patients, beneficial effects are still derived and even enhanced over the long-term in my experience (though I had to try 5-6 different stimulants to find one that I could tolerate for more than 1 month to a year without unbearable side effects).
It is possible that a non-ADHD person could use the same dose over a long period of time and derive some cognitive enhancement beyond their baseline as well (never really been studied), but in either case, abuse will lead to dependence (been there, done that more than once). Escalate the dose, you will get high again for a brief period of days, and off you go into the bowels of addiction.
Some people are able to use them very intermittently for cram sessions in college and have no cravings, but I have seen people turn into addicts of varying degrees as well. Maybe because you can be a little lazier depending on your major in college, go drink more, and then catch up for 2 days before the exam, etc. I know it wasn't peculiar to my university, but stimulant use/abuse like this is rampant in almost every school. I guess it's that competitive edge or sheer laziness, and there are some parallels to the increase in young person steroid use too (and at the pro level if it hasn't already reached a critical mass, LOL).
Athletix
Board Sponsor
That is exactly right it is overtreated when in regards to parents who think their three year old is hyperactive blind to the fact that all three year olds are hyperactive, yet statistically it is severely undertreated and if I remember the statistic correctly only around 2-3% of those with ADHD are actually treated for it.
Stimulants are still the mainstay therapy for ADHD but you can use atypical or typical antipsychotics and some antidepressents as well. It is actually MUCH rarer these days to see anyone on AP's if they have ADHD due to the side effects of blocking dopamine. However, stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphendiate effect both NE and DA. Doses are kept rather low though for ADHD with stimulants because there is a hairline threshold plasma concentration that starts showing the euphoric side effects.
There is a reason dopaminergic drugs feel good too, DA runs the pleasure centers of the brain so again the bottom line is you really don't want to mess with regulation of dopamine. If you want a quick release of dopamine just have sex
.
Stimulants are still the mainstay therapy for ADHD but you can use atypical or typical antipsychotics and some antidepressents as well. It is actually MUCH rarer these days to see anyone on AP's if they have ADHD due to the side effects of blocking dopamine. However, stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphendiate effect both NE and DA. Doses are kept rather low though for ADHD with stimulants because there is a hairline threshold plasma concentration that starts showing the euphoric side effects.
There is a reason dopaminergic drugs feel good too, DA runs the pleasure centers of the brain so again the bottom line is you really don't want to mess with regulation of dopamine. If you want a quick release of dopamine just have sex
.
dumbhick3
Member
Despite their woes, stimulants are much safer than antipsychotics-unless you are psychotic, unless the psychosis is secondary to acute amphetamine intoxication in which case it should pass.
I think plasma concentrations are irrelevant in terms of euphoria for amphetamines. I've taken massive amounts of prescribed Concerta before and nothing but severe side effects (say 60mg of it a day). A 10mg Ritalin would produce a tinge of euphoria in contrast. And I took both of them separately, and together at different times, all prescribed and at the scripted dose. Dose matters, but how quickly dopamine is released in the pleasure centers matters much more in terms of producing euphoria.
Have you ever taken an amphetamine or methylphenidate family compound before? The euphoric effects start at very low doses (5mg Adderall or 5mg Dex in an amphetamine naive person who isn't on SSRIs or other mood modulators; I have seen someone go hypomanic or manic off of 2.5mg and be fine 6 hrs later), and increase as the dose is titrated up to the terminal efficacious/target dose. Higher, single doses intensify the euphoria, to a point. Regardless of the dose though, whether 5mg/day or 60mg a day (I used to take that much Adderall) or 300mg in 3 days (don't ask-but again, why plasma levels are irrelevant for the most part), tolerance develops to the euphoric effects within a few days to a few weeks and the only way to sustain it is to increase the dose. Otherwise, no more euphoria. If you take it abusively every day (say 60-90mg single dose), you will hit a wall where you cannot get high anymore (even sleeping every day or every other day) due to the side effects limiting the dose (chest pains, arrythmias, etc).
And BTW, I stopped taking Adderall 30mg bid once for a week and when I started back I took a whole 30mg pill (my normal dose which didn't cause euphoria) and I was so high for about 20 hours that it was absurd. I had pre-cum in my pants, saucer pupils, couldn't sit still for long, was gregarious, and basically drowning in euphoria. And then at 4AM the next day trying to go to bed I had the worst stomach cramps I've ever had. I guess a week is plenty of time for your receptors to downregulate and for your dopamine pools to be replenished.
I would say that the doses are kept low for other reasons. Like most people don't need more than 40-60mg of amphetamine per day to control ADHD. Amphetamines are also neurotoxic in high doses. High doses also tend to deplete the large dopamine vesicles/neurons/whatever and cause the release of dopamine from the smaller vesicles/neurons/whatever as well as the release of serotonin which starts to all add up to a nasty psychotic state and a temporary but profound neurotransmitter depletion (DA and NE mainly).
And plain amphetamine has more cardiovascular effects than methamphetamine which is much more CNS active due to its increased lipid solubility and brain penetration and so the body can only tolerate so much plain amphetamine before your heart starts trying to escape from your chest. It takes longer for these effects to accrue with methamphetamine, so you have free reign to dig yourself a deeper hole, stay higher for longer with less sides (initially), and a 2-3 day "grace period" before you realize how big of an idiot you are (if you do) and pay the consequences or stay up for the next week or month or whatever your masochistic threshold happens to be.
Desoxyn/d-methamphetamine has some heavy binders in it to keep it from absorbing too rapidly and giving legit users too much euphoria. Everyone that has taken both the prescription and the relatively pure street version (that I know of) agrees that Desoxyn isn't even close to just ingesting crystal methamphetamine directly. Just like routes of administration intensify the euphoria of many drugs (PO, parental, etc), likewise for amphetamine, and I guess the ~100% version dissolves in the stomach much quicker than the hard 5mg pill version. Of course, this drug is just rarely prescribed period due to the stigma associated with methamphetamine (much of it deserved) and its even higher abuse potential than plain d-amp. But people can use either responsibly or irresponsibly for ADHD. It mind over matter or vice versa.
.I think plasma concentrations are irrelevant in terms of euphoria for amphetamines. I've taken massive amounts of prescribed Concerta before and nothing but severe side effects (say 60mg of it a day). A 10mg Ritalin would produce a tinge of euphoria in contrast. And I took both of them separately, and together at different times, all prescribed and at the scripted dose. Dose matters, but how quickly dopamine is released in the pleasure centers matters much more in terms of producing euphoria.
Have you ever taken an amphetamine or methylphenidate family compound before? The euphoric effects start at very low doses (5mg Adderall or 5mg Dex in an amphetamine naive person who isn't on SSRIs or other mood modulators; I have seen someone go hypomanic or manic off of 2.5mg and be fine 6 hrs later), and increase as the dose is titrated up to the terminal efficacious/target dose. Higher, single doses intensify the euphoria, to a point. Regardless of the dose though, whether 5mg/day or 60mg a day (I used to take that much Adderall) or 300mg in 3 days (don't ask-but again, why plasma levels are irrelevant for the most part), tolerance develops to the euphoric effects within a few days to a few weeks and the only way to sustain it is to increase the dose. Otherwise, no more euphoria. If you take it abusively every day (say 60-90mg single dose), you will hit a wall where you cannot get high anymore (even sleeping every day or every other day) due to the side effects limiting the dose (chest pains, arrythmias, etc).
And BTW, I stopped taking Adderall 30mg bid once for a week and when I started back I took a whole 30mg pill (my normal dose which didn't cause euphoria) and I was so high for about 20 hours that it was absurd. I had pre-cum in my pants, saucer pupils, couldn't sit still for long, was gregarious, and basically drowning in euphoria. And then at 4AM the next day trying to go to bed I had the worst stomach cramps I've ever had. I guess a week is plenty of time for your receptors to downregulate and for your dopamine pools to be replenished.
I would say that the doses are kept low for other reasons. Like most people don't need more than 40-60mg of amphetamine per day to control ADHD. Amphetamines are also neurotoxic in high doses. High doses also tend to deplete the large dopamine vesicles/neurons/whatever and cause the release of dopamine from the smaller vesicles/neurons/whatever as well as the release of serotonin which starts to all add up to a nasty psychotic state and a temporary but profound neurotransmitter depletion (DA and NE mainly).
And plain amphetamine has more cardiovascular effects than methamphetamine which is much more CNS active due to its increased lipid solubility and brain penetration and so the body can only tolerate so much plain amphetamine before your heart starts trying to escape from your chest. It takes longer for these effects to accrue with methamphetamine, so you have free reign to dig yourself a deeper hole, stay higher for longer with less sides (initially), and a 2-3 day "grace period" before you realize how big of an idiot you are (if you do) and pay the consequences or stay up for the next week or month or whatever your masochistic threshold happens to be.
Desoxyn/d-methamphetamine has some heavy binders in it to keep it from absorbing too rapidly and giving legit users too much euphoria. Everyone that has taken both the prescription and the relatively pure street version (that I know of) agrees that Desoxyn isn't even close to just ingesting crystal methamphetamine directly. Just like routes of administration intensify the euphoria of many drugs (PO, parental, etc), likewise for amphetamine, and I guess the ~100% version dissolves in the stomach much quicker than the hard 5mg pill version. Of course, this drug is just rarely prescribed period due to the stigma associated with methamphetamine (much of it deserved) and its even higher abuse potential than plain d-amp. But people can use either responsibly or irresponsibly for ADHD. It mind over matter or vice versa.
Mr.50
Board Supporter
Is there any application for low dose naltrexone to improve the side effect of decreased libido from antidepressant treatment?
Mr.50
dumbhick3
Member
Hope this helps. Gotta run.
I guess that you have tried yohimbe, viagra, cialis, levitra, etc? Apomorphine is another experimental treatment that seems to work for some, albeit with side effects (just like every other medication). Athletix probably can give you a more educated response than me.
arowji
New member
To Dumbhick3, who said "Schizophrenics have brains that are practically bathing in dopamine and not in the "pleasure" areas alone; their prefrontal cortex is flooded with it which is where most thought-perception occurs (I think)."
It has been hypothesized that those with schizophrenia actually have much less dopamine in the prefrontal cortex (hypofrontality theory of schizophrenia). Many functionial magentic resonance imaging studies have supported this hypothesis, showing decreased activity in the region. This leads to many of the negative symptoms of the disorder. It is likely responsible for the distorted ability to plan ahead and for some loss of executive functioning. It also causes the brain to send signals to other parts of the brain to produce more dopamine to compensate. This overcompensation leads to excess dopamine in the mesolimbic system leading to positive symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions, and to negative ones such as inappropriate response to emotion.
I do agree with you that it is not impossible for those prescribed stimulants and other amphetamines to become addicted. The theory behind this is that they will not become as easily addicted if they are not altering the dose and they will not be satisfying the craving to get high. A key feature of addiction is the need to get even higher the next time. If this is not present, then some will argue that it is not an addiction.
It has been hypothesized that those with schizophrenia actually have much less dopamine in the prefrontal cortex (hypofrontality theory of schizophrenia). Many functionial magentic resonance imaging studies have supported this hypothesis, showing decreased activity in the region. This leads to many of the negative symptoms of the disorder. It is likely responsible for the distorted ability to plan ahead and for some loss of executive functioning. It also causes the brain to send signals to other parts of the brain to produce more dopamine to compensate. This overcompensation leads to excess dopamine in the mesolimbic system leading to positive symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions, and to negative ones such as inappropriate response to emotion.
I do agree with you that it is not impossible for those prescribed stimulants and other amphetamines to become addicted. The theory behind this is that they will not become as easily addicted if they are not altering the dose and they will not be satisfying the craving to get high. A key feature of addiction is the need to get even higher the next time. If this is not present, then some will argue that it is not an addiction.
dumbhick3
Member
Truthfully, I know very little about schizophrenia relative to ADHD and amphetamines. Except that giving amphetamines to schizophrenics is a bad idea, and that heavy amphet abuse produces a temporary toxic psychosis that is essentially indistinguishable from schizophrenia. I had an acquaintance in college who abused Adderall like nobody's business (took an entire bottle, 480mg, in 24 hours once...)-he got misdiagnosed as schizophrenic somewhere along his amphetamine career and then they realized it was the massive doses of Adderall he was taking. He'd devour his bottle and buy somebody else's!
If you don't increase your prescribed dose of amphetamine ever, then there is a low to zilch chance of becoming addicted. However, if you cross the line and abuse it just once or twice, you have a high potential for liking the euphoria enough to do it a bit more, and pretty soon, you are on your way to full-blown amphetamine addiction. Especially when you end up staying up all night, and taking more to delay crashing because you have to go to class or something (or just want to stay high for as long as possible. The majority of people that I knew in college who had ADHD and were taking amphetamines had abused them and become addicted at one point or another and when/if they recovered, they would often stay on the drug and effectively treat their ADHD (nobody tells their psych that they are addicted to and abusing their monthly script if they are). Some would relapse into old habits; others would learn their lesson. And that is, don't ever abuse these drugs if unless you want to face a real risk of addiction that is extremely difficult to break out of and of course very deleterious to one's mental and physical health.
BTW, I know it's not impossible for someone prescribed stimulants to become addicted to them.
I can't say that I agree with your definition of addiction (sounds very subjective too). I have read a lot about addiction over the years and been through it over the years quite a few times as well; addiction is a much more complex phenomena than what you describe.
When I was addicted to cigarettes, I wasn't trying to get higher and higher, so by your logic, I probably wasn't addicted in the first place. A pack a day for 2 years and 5 months of withdrawal and cravings says otherwise.
Also, amphetamines are both simple and VERY complicated in terms of effects, good and bad, short term and long term, abusing and non-abusing populations, etc. Here is a grab bag study abstract that relates to amphetamines, the PFC, and schizophrenia-type symptoms (see below). I can't post links quite yet, but go to wwwamphetaminescom, click on the image, and you will find a plethora of interesting dopamine / stimulant / adhd / schizophrenia / you name it abstracts. The parent site is wwwbiopsychiatrycom which espouses some chemical based hedonistic philosophical approach to obtaining happiness, but the index and refs cover all drugs (even non-abusable (typically) drugs like anti-psychotics) and psychiatric disorders (such as addiction) and more. I have frequented that site over the course of many years for all the research abstracts. It is very technical and pretty addictive if you are a knowledge fiend like me. Anyway, you will find useful info galore there if you are interested.
If you don't increase your prescribed dose of amphetamine ever, then there is a low to zilch chance of becoming addicted. However, if you cross the line and abuse it just once or twice, you have a high potential for liking the euphoria enough to do it a bit more, and pretty soon, you are on your way to full-blown amphetamine addiction. Especially when you end up staying up all night, and taking more to delay crashing because you have to go to class or something (or just want to stay high for as long as possible. The majority of people that I knew in college who had ADHD and were taking amphetamines had abused them and become addicted at one point or another and when/if they recovered, they would often stay on the drug and effectively treat their ADHD (nobody tells their psych that they are addicted to and abusing their monthly script if they are). Some would relapse into old habits; others would learn their lesson. And that is, don't ever abuse these drugs if unless you want to face a real risk of addiction that is extremely difficult to break out of and of course very deleterious to one's mental and physical health.
BTW, I know it's not impossible for someone prescribed stimulants to become addicted to them.
I can't say that I agree with your definition of addiction (sounds very subjective too). I have read a lot about addiction over the years and been through it over the years quite a few times as well; addiction is a much more complex phenomena than what you describe.
When I was addicted to cigarettes, I wasn't trying to get higher and higher, so by your logic, I probably wasn't addicted in the first place. A pack a day for 2 years and 5 months of withdrawal and cravings says otherwise.
Also, amphetamines are both simple and VERY complicated in terms of effects, good and bad, short term and long term, abusing and non-abusing populations, etc. Here is a grab bag study abstract that relates to amphetamines, the PFC, and schizophrenia-type symptoms (see below). I can't post links quite yet, but go to wwwamphetaminescom, click on the image, and you will find a plethora of interesting dopamine / stimulant / adhd / schizophrenia / you name it abstracts. The parent site is wwwbiopsychiatrycom which espouses some chemical based hedonistic philosophical approach to obtaining happiness, but the index and refs cover all drugs (even non-abusable (typically) drugs like anti-psychotics) and psychiatric disorders (such as addiction) and more. I have frequented that site over the course of many years for all the research abstracts. It is very technical and pretty addictive if you are a knowledge fiend like me
. Anyway, you will find useful info galore there if you are interested.
Athletix
Board Sponsor
I think you guys are getting a bit confused about the schizophrenic brain. Obviously there is A LOT we don't know about psychosis based disorders, however, here is what we currently know. There is a mesolimbic area that goes from the VTA (ventral tegmental area) to the NAc (nucleus accumbens) and a mesocortical area that protrudes from the VTA to the cerebral cortex. There is too much dopamine release in the mesolimbic area that controls impulse and addictive cravings and the mesocortical region seems to be deficient in dopamine. The mesolimbic area is what is typically causes the positive symptoms such as hallucinations and the mesocortical controls more of the negative symptoms such as anhedonia. It may seem confusing at first as to why there can be increases in one area and deficiencies in others but the reason is because these two dopamine neurons split off from the VTA and go opposite directions, but there is actually another interneuron that connects from the cortex to the NAc that that inhibits the mesolimbic area. This means that there is less inhibition on the mesolimbic area allowing it to become interactive.
Now if it were only that easy lol. The problem comes in that there are a myriad of other receptors that seem to be present on these neurons and we don't yet know what the interneurons actually are, what kind they are. There is 5HT2A/C that seems to be inhibitory at the end of the dopamine neurons in the mesocortical neurons and there seems to be some GABA/enkephalin/opioid receptors and neurons that have effects in the VTA.
Typical psychotics seem to work best on the positive symptoms due to D2 blockade but of course cause some pretty nasty extra pyramidal effects while the newer atypical antipsychotics seem to help more with negative symptoms but cause sides such as severe weight gain, it is a lose/lose.
OldGator
Active member
What about selegiline "slo-gel" (transdermal L-Dopa) that my TRT / anti-aging doc prescribed 2 years ago? I take 3mg a day via gel on forearms and it seems to have brightened my step somewhat.
I was able to wean off Zoloft (old doc had me on 100mg/day for 5 years) and didn't miss a beat.
BTW, I'm 53 yo and my daughter has been diagnosed with bipolar though I don't think I exhibit such symptoms.
Athletix
Board Sponsor
Well first off selegiline is not l-dopa it is actually an MAOI. I have no idea why a doctor would prescribe you this for anti-aging though. There has been research recently that show it "possibly" helps with Parkinsons and that it may be anti-apoptotic or anti-oxidant but that would definitely not warrant the use of an MAOI.
Was the sertraline (Zoloft) not working for you? AD's are completely hit or miss and if one doesn't work you should try another as it may help. If your daughter has bipolar disorder I sure hope she is on lithium for the mania, it is very important to keep the mania from showing its ugly face.
You can't really diagnose yourself with bipolar disorder but mania is obviously what sets it apart from depression. The high euphoria you get intermittently.
OldGator
Active member
Yes, you are right on Athletix. lithium has worked wonders for my daughter (unfortunately after dealing with many docs who only wanted to prescribed depakote, ablifiy, zoloft, etc.) Turns out the "cheap drug" did all the heavy lifting.
Had another daughter who recently died of CF. I had been taking Zoloft for years (over 10) to help with gnawing depression as she fought the fatal disease. It helped at first, then I thoought it was diminishing. Went to a hormone doc who prescribed testosterone (which helped) and selegiline (not sure - feel kind of "active" when first applied). He thought selegiline would help on dopamine side of depressions - apparently there are some studies. But things I have read - just like what you posted, have made he put it on the shelf.
I've just started with a great pyschiatrist. She thinks I may also have ADHD - took many tests, can't concentrate, walk away in the middle of conversations, etc. She said Zoloft probably isn't the right drug for me as it effects only serotonin, me problem may be more on dopamine side. So she just started weaning me off Zoloft and added 5mg Abilify. If that doesn't do it she may add vyvanse into the picture next week (yes, I know all about vyvanse, even tried it once, was a miracle drug for me I thought).
dumbhick3
Member
If you were hypomanic (BP), you would probably have trouble noticing the symptoms in yourself, depending on subjectivity and level of insight. If you are in full blown mania, you would possibly lack any insight (at the time anyway), but it would be apparent to anyone who knows you I would think.
I read in a book once upon a time that for children with ADHD, if they had comorbid depression/MDD and were taking an SSRI, and then a stimulant was added, symptoms of hypomania could emerge in some cases (it suggested to watch for signs of hypomania and adjust/terminate the stimulant if needed). Would anyone care to explain if (A) this makes sense as put forth and (B) would a hypomania from SSRI+stimulant imply an underlying BP disorder (as opposed to stopping one or both drugs and the problem goes away completely)? I am stretching it here, but I am thinking of how it has been suggested (and I have seen one instance of this in college) that someone who is prodromal schizophrenic can be launched right into fullblow schizophrenia after taking acutely or chronically hallucinogens like LSD and shrooms. But the premise is that it would have happened anyway; the chemical just sped up the process. Amphetamines are slightly manic/hypomanic in their initial mood effects and if esp. if abused (very manic), so their contribution isn't too much of a strech.
Athletix
Board Sponsor
Wow, surprised she used aripiprazole for you. I am sort of opposed to the use of anti-psychotics unless you are schizophrenic or other anti-depressents are not working but typically there is a trial of at least three drugs before they would even think about going that route. If you have ADHD then the aripiprazole could make it worse as it will decrease dopamine as opposed to increase it. Methylphenidate (ritalin) and amphetamine both increase seratonin and dopamine.
I would definitely get rid of the doctor who prescribed you the MAOI (selegiline) that is just crazy. It cannot be used if you have suicidal thoughts or any sort of eating disorder. I don't want you to post any of your history here on the forum but just putting that out there.
KDLMaj
Member
The ADHD medication issue is always an interesting one. A lot of the good stuff has been covered already, but I do have to say that the "risks" of ADHD medications are actually very low- much lower than for drugs like the benzo family, for example.
I always get a little uncomfortable when someone says "most of the people I know who take ADHD medications are addicted to them"- it always makes me wonder what their definition of addiction is. Personally, I am not functional without 20 hours of stimulant coverage (like many of us- stimulant medication helps me sleep). But I wasn't functional prior to being diagnosed/medicated. So am I an addict just because I need to take it daily? Perhaps. Perhaps not.
People forget that the doses stimulant medication are prescribed in are *exceedingly* low (can you imagine taking 10 mg of tylenol and expecting results?), and that virtually every study that has shown short or long term damage to amphetamine exposure has used IV doses- which completely changes the action of the drug. Stimulant medication is predicated on oral doses.
People also often neglect to mention (or are simply unaware) that oral doses of methylphenidate (ritalin) are virtually impossible to become addicted to. Amphetamines, on the other hand, can actually cause addiction at high enough doses because, unlike ritalin, they cause a direct release of dopamine. What both drugs do primarily, however, is to reverse the reuptake process in exactly the areas where folks with ADHD have dopamine deficiencies (over 90% of folks with the combined type ADHD have a gene that doubles or even triples the number of reuptake receptors in these areas of the brain- hence why these medications are so incredibly effective. They treat the problem directly). Simply reversing the reuptake process doesn't at any reasonable dose of methylphenidate won't produce euphoria. However, once inhaled or injected, the drug actually has a different mechanism of action (ritalin's effects are very dose dependent) and the increase in dopamine happens to abruptly that it will produce a potentially addictive euphoria.
Bottom line: the problems are greatly overstated, stem from using the medications in VERY irresponsible ways, and are actually generally just on the amphetamine side of the medications- ironic since ritalin is the more well known of the two.
I always get a little uncomfortable when someone says "most of the people I know who take ADHD medications are addicted to them"- it always makes me wonder what their definition of addiction is. Personally, I am not functional without 20 hours of stimulant coverage (like many of us- stimulant medication helps me sleep). But I wasn't functional prior to being diagnosed/medicated. So am I an addict just because I need to take it daily? Perhaps. Perhaps not.
People forget that the doses stimulant medication are prescribed in are *exceedingly* low (can you imagine taking 10 mg of tylenol and expecting results?), and that virtually every study that has shown short or long term damage to amphetamine exposure has used IV doses- which completely changes the action of the drug. Stimulant medication is predicated on oral doses.
People also often neglect to mention (or are simply unaware) that oral doses of methylphenidate (ritalin) are virtually impossible to become addicted to. Amphetamines, on the other hand, can actually cause addiction at high enough doses because, unlike ritalin, they cause a direct release of dopamine. What both drugs do primarily, however, is to reverse the reuptake process in exactly the areas where folks with ADHD have dopamine deficiencies (over 90% of folks with the combined type ADHD have a gene that doubles or even triples the number of reuptake receptors in these areas of the brain- hence why these medications are so incredibly effective. They treat the problem directly). Simply reversing the reuptake process doesn't at any reasonable dose of methylphenidate won't produce euphoria. However, once inhaled or injected, the drug actually has a different mechanism of action (ritalin's effects are very dose dependent) and the increase in dopamine happens to abruptly that it will produce a potentially addictive euphoria.
Bottom line: the problems are greatly overstated, stem from using the medications in VERY irresponsible ways, and are actually generally just on the amphetamine side of the medications- ironic since ritalin is the more well known of the two.
OldGator
Active member
Please Help!
I'm glad I came across this thread because you guys obviously know what you are talking about. I need help...
So now this pyschiatrist has added Strattera to my mix. Right now I'm taking Zoloft 100mg, Abilify 10mg, and now Strattera 40mg (up to 80). She didn't put me on Zoloft - I was already on that, but she said maybe we could wean that off once the Strattera kicks in. I am legit Adult ADHD - took all the tests. This pysch said she would never prescribe me an amphetamine because I admitted to trying cocaine 25 years ago! My oldest daughter is ADHD and switched from Adderall to Vyvanse a while ago which helps her a lot. I admitted to the pysch that I tried the Vyvanse (30mg) a month ago for 3 days with my daughter's permission and that it worked wonders for my concentration. I know that was stupid but I was just trying to be honest. She let me have it and said because I did that it just reinforced her decision never to put my on an amphetamine.
So what do you think of this mix? Strattera? Her decision never to let me try Vyvanse even though it worked?
My libido is non-existent but she said the Strattera may help. I was hornier than a dog on Vyvanse. What do you guys think??
I'm glad I came across this thread because you guys obviously know what you are talking about. I need help...
So now this pyschiatrist has added Strattera to my mix. Right now I'm taking Zoloft 100mg, Abilify 10mg, and now Strattera 40mg (up to 80). She didn't put me on Zoloft - I was already on that, but she said maybe we could wean that off once the Strattera kicks in. I am legit Adult ADHD - took all the tests. This pysch said she would never prescribe me an amphetamine because I admitted to trying cocaine 25 years ago! My oldest daughter is ADHD and switched from Adderall to Vyvanse a while ago which helps her a lot. I admitted to the pysch that I tried the Vyvanse (30mg) a month ago for 3 days with my daughter's permission and that it worked wonders for my concentration. I know that was stupid but I was just trying to be honest. She let me have it and said because I did that it just reinforced her decision never to put my on an amphetamine.
So what do you think of this mix? Strattera? Her decision never to let me try Vyvanse even though it worked?
My libido is non-existent but she said the Strattera may help. I was hornier than a dog on Vyvanse. What do you guys think??
dumbhick3
Member
It can be hard to be 100% honest (you suceeded!) with your psychiatrist and expect monthly amphetamine scripts (Vyvanse is a CII amphetamine), especially when you haven't already been legitimately taking an amphetamine (no "legitimate drug history" rapport in a sense). People with ADHD are more inclined to try illegal drugs prior to being treated for ADHD (e.g. undiagnosed/untreated adults), and I am not a fan of prescibed stimulants for 3 year olds (5 or 6 years maybe if it is severe; otherwise, when it becomes significantly hindering to your life), so it is a tad hypocritical. They do have a high potential for abuse, but if you haven't abused any drugs in years, and have even had the opportunity too but declined, then you have little to worry about.
Prior illegal stimulant abuse (translation-"use") is generally considered an absolute (rather than relative) contraindication to prescribing amphetamines or methylphenidate-type drugs to you (anything CII) for ADHD. However, some psychiatrists will try stimulants with a person who has not abused drugs (abuse includes using your daughter's script though you just "used" it) in at least 6 months. I would look for a different psychiatrist and be frank with him (since it is in your records anyway) and ask why being truthful about something from 25 years ago should hinder your treatment? He/she can closely monitor you by giving you small scripts, asking you to bring your bottle with you to appts, etc.
There is definitely a trust issue, and Vyvase may even be a good drug for you. But first, I wouldn't tell her that you took your daughter's medication in the last month (I know, too late). But then again, she has already decided not to ever prescribe amphetamines to you so I say move on. She probably blew up b/c there have been instances where parents started taking their kid's dexedrine (which is very, very close to Vyvase) and then started taking more and more as an energy and productivity booster. So you become an addict (in theory or reality) and jr has no medicine to take for his/her ADHD.
One frustrating thing about stimulants clinically perhaps is that they increase concentration in non-ADHD people (short-term at least) as well as ADHD people. One difference would be that hyperactivity (if present) would be reduced while it can either be reduced or increased in a non-ADHD person given a CII stimulant like amphetamine.
Amphetamine drugs are good libido boosters in the short term, and to help offset the anti-libido effects of SSRIs (zoloft) also in the short term mainly, but long-term they lose that effect. In fact, it can be quite difficult to reach orgasm sometimes (probably half and half with long term, clinical use-personal experience). High doses/abuse can cause psychosexual behavior and dysfunction (so the opposite of the initial effects), among other things. The excess dopamine release when you first start a stimulant (anyone really) is what causes the horniness.
The reason I suggest a different psych/drug is b/c Strattera sux in my opinion. The worst drug I ever took for ADHD and the most side effects. Everytime I urinated, prostatic fluid would literally pour out of my penis (gross I know). And when I had sex and ejaculated, it felt like I was shooting ground glass (I was yelling, but in a bad way). It made me lethargic all the time. I never take naps, but I would pass out every day 3 hours after I got up. And it dilated my pupils so badly that I had double vision and they wouldn't stop watering. I quit within 2 weeks. It was also completely ineffective for my ADHD-I got into an argument with someone at work in that 2 week span and got my @$$ chewed out for the first time ever, and the only time while I worked there. There are a host of other options (CII), and Strattera has finally been determined to be as potentially dangerous as the CII stimulants on heart function in people with genetic anomalies or in people who abuse CII stimulants, and Strattera isn't even abusable! To hell with that drug! I haven't talked to a single person who said it helped their ADHD. And kiss your libido good bye-it's too painful to have sex. I think it causes a lot of prostate problems which is not good for your sex life (I think the norephinephrine effects of it cause the prostatic issues largely; amphetamine can cause prostatitis, but strattera is just a different bird altogether-like a crow).
My advice-find a different psychiatrist, stop taking your kid's meds, and request that you be trialed on an amphetamine or CII stimulant and closely monitored. Your history will come with you, but you may find a psych who is willing to give you a chance. Look until you find the right one and don't give up. You are probably being too honest for a doctor to ever feel comfortable giving you these meds for the 1st time. You mean well, but you will make any new psychiatrist you find nervous if you say right off the bat that you took your daughter's amphet last month, it worked well, where is mine? But your current psych is overreacting IMO (ask her what she is on:veryhappy
. Of course, being on an antidepressant complicates things because comorbid disorders and depression especially can place you at increased risk of abuse/addiction (though not so much when your depression is controlled, assuming you are depressed). Addiction can happen easier than you think, but not if you take the medicine exactly as prescribed and never increase the dose, ever. Sadly, you seem like a typical ADHD case that was not treated at a relatively early age (teens or so)-it was a similar situation with me-diagnosed at age 19 or 20, but thankfully by a very helpful psych. The longer ADHD'ers go without treatment, the higher the risk of drug abuse along the way, and the increased likelihood of comorbid mental disorders secondary to not treating ADHD. Sort of a catch-22 if you are diagnosed as an adult.Do a lot of reading on ADHD too, and you can piece together the best route to getting proper treatment if the Strattera isn't doing the job (and I doubt it is). Reverse psychology, lol. Have you tried Wellbutrin? It's an atypical antidepressant and may or may not help you ADHD and isn't a controlled substance. There are other options even besides the CII stimulants-they are just generally the most effective and 1st line drugs unless contraindicated. Other 2nd and 3rd line drugs include clonidine for hyperactivity (not concentration), and some others I forgot. Pemoline is CIII or CIV "stimulant" but it is 3rd line due to risk of liver failure. It's supposedly somewhat effective but it takes a while to start working (and you liver may crap out of course, though the risk is low).
Good luck.
OldGator
Active member
Thanks dumbhick (should be smarthick IMO). After what you said and what I've googled, I'm not even going to fill the script for Strattera. This pysch could ball me out for 10 minutes because I was honest yet didn't spend 10 seconds talking about the side effects you stated and I found.
She only started me on Abilify 2 weeks ago (I only went to her twice now), so I was thinking of stepping back off of it (killed my libido) and just continuing my old base of Zoloft. Then change docs.
Funny thing is - I was minding my own business when a doctor neighbor mentioned that she was pretty sure I had ADHD (plus she is a friend of my wife - who agress 100% with the ADHD!) and she told me I should seek a pysch and do the "tests". So the whole damn thing wasn't even my idea and I just get balled out and made to feel like a meth addict! What the hell!
In the meantime I did the tests, researched the hell out of ADHD, and now I'm convinced that I have it, convinced vyvanse or some such stim would help, and have a cabinet full of ****ty meds instead. For years I have apparently been self-medicating with 500-700mg of caffeine daily! Now I figured it out only to be stuck with this witch psych. Can 1 pill be worse than 12 diet cokes a day?
Now that I know how to approach a doc (by being 95% honest, not 100%) you say I've screwed myself because it's "in my records". So if I go to another doc, why do my records follow if I don't even mention her?? I thought HIPPA protected us there?
PS - my kid is 27, I'm 53
She only started me on Abilify 2 weeks ago (I only went to her twice now), so I was thinking of stepping back off of it (killed my libido) and just continuing my old base of Zoloft. Then change docs.
Funny thing is - I was minding my own business when a doctor neighbor mentioned that she was pretty sure I had ADHD (plus she is a friend of my wife - who agress 100% with the ADHD!) and she told me I should seek a pysch and do the "tests". So the whole damn thing wasn't even my idea and I just get balled out and made to feel like a meth addict! What the hell!
In the meantime I did the tests, researched the hell out of ADHD, and now I'm convinced that I have it, convinced vyvanse or some such stim would help, and have a cabinet full of ****ty meds instead. For years I have apparently been self-medicating with 500-700mg of caffeine daily! Now I figured it out only to be stuck with this witch psych. Can 1 pill be worse than 12 diet cokes a day?
Now that I know how to approach a doc (by being 95% honest, not 100%) you say I've screwed myself because it's "in my records". So if I go to another doc, why do my records follow if I don't even mention her?? I thought HIPPA protected us there?
PS - my kid is 27, I'm 53
OldGator
Active member
I really like what I read about Wellbutrin. In my case it seems it would do better things for my symptoms (depression, ADHD, lack of energy and libido) than Zoloft without the Zoloft sides (or maybe even maintain a smalle Zoloft dose say, 50mg, from 100mg). I think this is one anti-stim that I will bring up to (new) doc. Thanks. Thoughts?
dumbhick3
Member
It has a chance of helping your ADHD whereas I doubt any SSRI like Zoloft is going to be of much use. Wellbutrin does lower the seizure threshold, so you may have to come off of strattera and/or zoloft, but it's possible that it could help with depression, lack of energy, libido, and ADHD. I don't want to get your hopes up on the one hand, but it definitely doesn't have any significant negative effects on libido and energy like those 2 drugs. It is sometimes called a "stimulating antidepressant" b/c it does in fact have some dopaminergic effects along with serotonergic effects. Strattera and zoloft do nothing significant in the land of dopamine.
I took Wellbutrin at the same time that I was taking methylphenidate/ritalin (before going back to amphetamine) in order to quit smoking (same ingredient as Zyban but insurance companies won't pay for "Zyban"). I tolerated it well even alongside the stimulant. I don't recommend drinking on it as alcohol also increases the chance of seizures and I noticed that I had worse hangovers in college while taking it (don't drink anymore so its not an issue).
I think it is definitely worth a shot and has a better side effect profile than the 2 drugs mentioned above.
Also, if that doesn't work out, I would push hard for a trial of Concerta (CII, methylphenidate time-release). I don't think it is that great, but it has virtually no abuse potential either; it is just CII b/c it contains methylphenidate. It's time-release mechanism is undefeatable essentially so all you could do is take a bunch at once and even then, euphoria is unlikely (more likely is just unpleasant side effects). In the real world and subjectively speaking, Concerta has the least abuse potential of any CII stimulant (including Ritalin which contains the same active).
In college, I don't think I met a SINGLE person who (A) had legitimate ADHD, (B) was prescribed stimulants for ADHD, and (C) did not abuse them at least once or twice in the course of college. Most were compliant with their meds most of the time, a few of them were severely dependent on amphetamines, and many had went through at least one period of abusing their medication before returning to normal use. That is real world observation, not textbook speculation. How do you know the abuse patterns of people on stimulants if they lie to you?
I took Wellbutrin at the same time that I was taking methylphenidate/ritalin (before going back to amphetamine) in order to quit smoking (same ingredient as Zyban but insurance companies won't pay for "Zyban"). I tolerated it well even alongside the stimulant. I don't recommend drinking on it as alcohol also increases the chance of seizures and I noticed that I had worse hangovers in college while taking it (don't drink anymore so its not an issue).
I think it is definitely worth a shot and has a better side effect profile than the 2 drugs mentioned above.
Also, if that doesn't work out, I would push hard for a trial of Concerta (CII, methylphenidate time-release). I don't think it is that great, but it has virtually no abuse potential either; it is just CII b/c it contains methylphenidate. It's time-release mechanism is undefeatable essentially so all you could do is take a bunch at once and even then, euphoria is unlikely (more likely is just unpleasant side effects). In the real world and subjectively speaking, Concerta has the least abuse potential of any CII stimulant (including Ritalin which contains the same active).
In college, I don't think I met a SINGLE person who (A) had legitimate ADHD, (B) was prescribed stimulants for ADHD, and (C) did not abuse them at least once or twice in the course of college. Most were compliant with their meds most of the time, a few of them were severely dependent on amphetamines, and many had went through at least one period of abusing their medication before returning to normal use. That is real world observation, not textbook speculation. How do you know the abuse patterns of people on stimulants if they lie to you?
OldGator
Active member
I already saw a new doctor today!!! - he had a cancellation. He told me to chuck the Strattera script (I never had it filled) and also come off the the Abilify (just started last week). He is starting Wellbutrin 150mg for a week and 300mg thereafter. Told me to stay on Zoloft for the time being (I have been on it for years) and wants to titrate that down to 50mg over a few months (from 100mg) but then stay on that 50mg dose w/ the Wellbutrin.
What a great guy! Explained all the side effects of each drug and the possiblities of Wellbutrin (just like you did dumbhick). He even said he would have no problem considering stims if the Wellbutrin didn't work out!
What a breath of fresh air from that old witch who balled me out for 10 minutes and explained nothing! It just goes to show that you should keep looking for a doc you can work with. :01:
dumbhick3
Member
You found a good psych. Stick with him; if the wellbutrin doesn't work out, then you can always try the stims later on.
Your last psych is stuck in the middle ages or dark ages (a shame, really, but that's her problem now, not yours).
Your comment about not giving up hits close to home with me. I'll spare you the details, but it took 6 months of agonizing pain, numerous doctors and visits, etc, before I found a doctor who (A) gave a d@mn about my pain, AND (B) was willing to do something about it. Though I no longer need pain medicine or take it, that doctor is definitely a keeper and knows what appropriate medical care constitutes (and isn't a "feel good" doctor-very judicious actually).
Your last psych is stuck in the middle ages or dark ages (a shame, really, but that's her problem now, not yours).
Your comment about not giving up hits close to home with me. I'll spare you the details, but it took 6 months of agonizing pain, numerous doctors and visits, etc, before I found a doctor who (A) gave a d@mn about my pain, AND (B) was willing to do something about it. Though I no longer need pain medicine or take it, that doctor is definitely a keeper and knows what appropriate medical care constitutes (and isn't a "feel good" doctor-very judicious actually).
OldGator
Active member
Thanks for all your help dumbhick, and your informative PM. I appreciate it.
dumbhick3
Member
Wow, this thread is old.
What you say is a vast oversimplification, but you can say whatever you like.
MAxximal
Well-known member
flightposite
Board Sponsor
DIZZAMM!!! this is some good reading.